Posts Tagged ‘AKC-FSS’

Supporters- Not only do Coton owners and breeders fight against recognition by the American Kennel Club, but we also fight the battle against the Coton club that is seeking AKC recognition. The club that is taking the breed against the wishes of the majority of Coton owners is the USACTC. How can anyone put showing above the health and welfare of a breed?
Get familiar with the names that are responsible. http://usactc.org/breeders/breeders-directory/

by
Robert Jay Russell, Ph.D.,
Madagascar Coton de Tulear Club of America President,

September 30th, 2012. For those of you unfamiliar with the story, a small show fancy dog club (called the “USACTC”) has taken their population of Eurocotons into the AKC, opening up the flood gates for thousands of dogs labeled “Coton de Tulear” to be housed in barns and bred under horrendous conditions. The puppies of these dogs are sold in pet shops nationwide and on the internet as “AKC Registered Cotons de Tulear.” The parents of these Cotons are housed in wire-bottomed crates until they no longer produce puppies or until the puppy mill owner has no further need of them. Then they are shot and buried on the farm or sold at auction to other puppy millers. Those dogs who are not sold at auction will almost certainly be killed. Here is just one posting by Jane Arrington about an auction of AKC Cotons coming up in a few days…

I am reposting the information about the AKC-registered Cotons that will be sold at auction on October 6 and leaving off the kennel name. These dogs are from a known kennel that produces Cotons, Havanese, and Papillons. The contact information, if anyone is interested in helping these dogs, is below. As these are AKC dogs, you need to contact Ruth Weidrick of the USACTC and ask if she plans to rescue any or all of these dogs. It should be noted that the kennel is not going out of business, they are just consigning their unwanted animals to an auction and the poor babies will be purchased by other “high volume breeders” if they are are not rescued. The dilemma becomes one of whether you wish to help these animals while enabling the kennel owner or do you just turn your back on the animals in hopes that the kennel owner will reduce the number of Cotons she is producing. Chances are, if these dogs are not purchased at auction, they will be shot, drowned or endure some other horrible fate. This is reality from the rescue side of the coin.

“October 6 puppy mill auction by Southwest Kennel Auction…. 14 Coton de Tulear dogs will be auctioned in Oklahoma (7 males and 7 females – ages unknown as they have not posted the catalog yet).

I am not sure if Ruth Weidrick will be sending any representatives to this auction to rescue these dogs but if you have an interest, please contact Ruth – President of USACTC – as she is also listed as the rescue representative for AKC-registered Coton de Tulear.”

Dr. Russell continues:
We abhor the organization that the AKC has become. Please do not support the sale of puppy mill produced puppies.
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copyright 2012 Dr. R. J. Russell & the CTCA
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A Closer Look At Animal Welfare Issues :

BCTV- WEDNESDAY NIGHT

THE COTON de TULEAR versus AKC AND PUPPY MILLS

Host: Tina Evangelista-Eppenstein

Tune in tomorrow night on BCTV (A Close-Up Look at Animal Welfare Issues) at 6:30 when my guest, Robyn Rosenthal, Secretary for the Advocates for the Coton de Tulear (ACT) and I will continue our discussion on the AKC’s decision to name another Coton de Tulear group as the “parent club” of the breed. Watch and see why this is a bad decision for this breed or any breed of dog.

Find out why the American Kennel Club is a misnomer at best.

With PA’s dog law ready to go into full effect on July 1st, what will this mean for the dogs in puppy mills that are actually supported by the AKC?

With a new Special Deputy Secretary of Agriculture, Lynn Diehl, replacing Jessie Smith, who has no experience with animals but 32 yrs. of a banking background, what will this mean for PA’s commercial kennels?

Find out the answers to these questions and more on tomorrow night’s show. You can streamline live the show at BCTV.

If you have any questions/comments, please feel free to call in during the live program at 610-378-0426. You can email me personally at tevangelistaepp@yahoo.com.

When UCARE was formed in 2002 as the only nonprofit corporation committed to the Rescue of this wonderful breed, our articles of incorporation specified that the corporation was organized for the purpose of preventing and abating animal cruelty by rescuing, treating, altering, fostering and rehoming abused, neglected, ill, stray and unwanted Cotons. Furthermore, UCARE was developed to educate current and prospective pet owners as to the proper care and breeding of dogs to prevent cruelty and allow them to make informed choices of where to obtain a Coton.

Never did we think that to fulfill this charter we would have to take an opposing stance to one of the Coton breed clubs and its goal to have the Coton recognized as an AKC “breed”. History has shown that AKC recognition exponentially increases the number of dogs in puppy mills (or “high volume breeder” facilities using the AKC nomenclature) and subjects those dogs to cruel and inhumane treatment. We feel that we have no choice but to assist in preserving the Coton breed as we know it and join in the battle against AKC recognition.

It is with sadness (but pride that others join us in our concerns and our basic goals) that we are making a contribution to the Advocates for the Coton de Tulear (ACT) in the amount of $5,000 in the hopes that it will prod others to join the battle and hopefully assist in winning the war against AKC recognition for the Coton de Tulear. The future of this wonderful breed is at risk if we don’t win that war!

On my show tonight, the topic to be discussed will be the rare breed, Coton de Tulear, being recognized by the AKC. There are several National Coton clubs in the nation with one pursuing this recognition from the AKC.

Why would this recognition be a horrendous mistake for this rare breed? What will it mean for the future of this lovable dog? Do you, the animal lover, understand what the AKC stands for? Do they really care about the welfare of the dogs?

You can view this program at 6:30 PM locally on Channe 13 (Comcast), Channel 19 (Service Electric) or you can streamline it and watch it live at BCTV. Please feel free to call in with questions or comments or email me directly at tevangelistaepp@yahoo.com. You can also catch this show in replays on Friday at 9:30 PM, Saturday at 5:30 PM and Sunday at 8:30 AM. You can also view this show in the archives section as well.

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About the host and author: Tina is a long-time animal advocate, Tina Evangelista-Eppenstein will take on local, national and worldwide issues affecting animals today. Tina will explore puppymills, animal cruelty, the dog fur industry, animal shelter issues, experimental research on animals and so much more. Tina is a local tv talk show host and has been a guest on other tv and radio programs throughout Berks County and beyond. Tina welcomes your comments and questions.

Following the AKC’s rejection of ACTA and its choice of the USACTC for its frontal show organization, the USACTC Board brazenly announced:

“Dear USACTC members,

Today we were informed by the AKC, that the USACTC has been chosen to be the Parent Club for AKC. We have attached a copy of the letter. While we understand many of the challenges that face us in the years to come, we are pleased that the Coton de Tulear will now have a strong, single voice to speak for them.

We are in the process of establishing a Code of Ethics for all of our members and will continue to be strong in ourcommitment to work against puppy mills and commercial breeders. We hope that as an AKC Parent Club our voice will be loud and clear on this subject with AKC as well as with the public.

Many new USACTC committees will be formed in the upcoming months to work for the benefit of the Coton de Tulear. We hope that you will consider helping the USACTC protect and work for the breed that we all love so very much.
Very truly yours,

Ruth Weidrick and
The USACTC Board Members”

Dr. Russell continues:

Hilarious chutzpah on their part to state that the USACTC is now the “strong, single voice” that speaks for Cotons. Literally thousands more Coton owners and breeders oppose the USACTC and the AKC than support this move, so they err tremendously in proclaiming themselves the sole spokespeople for the breed. The CTCA, now in its 35th year, is vastly larger than their show club and we predate their appearance on the Coton scene by more than 17 years. Anyone who knows anything about the CTCA knows that we have never been silent in our support of the breed that we introduced to the Western world from their homeland of Madagascar in 1974.
If that weren’t a large enough misstatement, Ms. Weidrick goes on to compound her chutzpah by stating that the USACTC will “work against puppy mills and commercial breeders.”

She appears completely unaware that the AKC is the largest registrar of puppy mill dogs in the world, that it is stated policy of the AKC to promote their “Large Scale Breeders Program,” that AKC officials attend and help puppy auctions in the mid-West, and that the AKC supports and endorses the Hunte Corporation, the largest wholesale distributor of commercially produced puppies in the world. The AKC management has never, does not now and obviously will not in the future tolerate any parent club’s challenge to their revenue sources.

The USACTC no longer has a Coton registry. They have no say over what dogs the AKC will register as “AKC Cotons de Tulear.” Ms. Weidrick’s Cotons will join puppy mill bred, pet shop sold Cotons as complete equals in the exact same AKC registry database. Their Coton in the show ring will be indistinguishable from an AKC Coton languishing in a pet shop somewhere. USACTC breeders will produce the same pups as any AKC Coton breeder will.

We in the CTCA feel very, very sorry for the fate of these dogs. And we are thankful that none of our Cotons will be in that unenviable place.

Ms. Weidrick is likely well aware that the mCTCA will remain a “strong voice” in support of the Madagascar Coton de Tulear breed and that unlike her AKC-USACTC, we will be able to maintain a registry, enforce our strict Code of Ethics and health testing for all our breeders and owners, and of course we’ll continue to “work against puppy mills and commercial breeders.”
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copyright 2011 Dr. R. J. Russell & the CTCA
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The USACTC has been named the AKC Parent Club for the Coton de Tulear. They may have received that privilege but the Coton de Tulear has still not been AKC recognized. There is no standing on the fence any longer. You pick a side and you either fight FOR the Coton or you fight to SHOW the Coton. There are no in betweens. If you are a member of the USACTC Club, then you are pro-AKC and you support Puppy Mills. Please join us in our continued opposition of AKC recognition for the Coton de Tulear!

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There are still two Coton de Tulear organizations which will protect the rare breed Coton de Tulear. The American Coton Club and the Coton de Tulear Club of America. Neither organization will ever join the ranks of AKC and the puppy mills they support!!

The 2 Coton de Tulear breed clubs seeking AKC recognition are the USACTC & ACTA. Their members represent a minority voice in the Coton community, as an overwhelming majority of Coton owners & fanciers in the US are vehemently opposed to AKC recognition. “ACT” feels these board members should be accountable for their actions, so please contact them to voice your opposition to AKC recognition.

Would you buy a Rolex watch from a sidewalk vendor for $25.00 and actually believe that you’re purchasing the identical watch that sells for thousands of dollars at “reputable” fine jewelry stores?

When it comes to dogs, gullible consumers actually believe that “papers” lend credence to the health and quality of the dog. Sadly, most buyers are purchasing a false sense of security.

In reality, the source of a puppy largely determines whether or not the “papers” accompanying the canine are suitable for framing or better used for housebreaking and the AKC’s own website inasmuch says so.

There is a widely held belief that “AKC” or “AKC papers” guarantee the quality of a dog. This is not the case.

AKC is a registry body.

A registration certificate identifies the dog as the offspring of a known sire and dam, born on a known date.

It in no way indicates the quality or state of health of the dog.

Quality in the sense of “show quality” is determined by many factors including the dog’s health, physical condition, ability to move and appearance. Breeders breeding show stock are trying to produce animals that closely resemble the description of perfection described in the breed standard.

“Many people breed their dogs with no concern for the qualitative demands of the breed standard. When this occurs repeatedly over several generations, the animals, while still purebred, can be of extremely low quality.”

The American Kennel Club derives millions of dollars each year from the sale of “papers” and so, too, do several other quasi-registries including the ACA and APRI. Unless the dog being purchased comes from a long line of champions and the buyer has a desire to show or breed, the majority of puppy “paper” purchases are largely a waste of money on a meaningless piece of processed tree pulp.

For years advocates have maintained that if “reputable” breeders REALLY cared about the health and welfare of their respective breeds they would stand up to the AKC’s attempt to push “papers” and say: ENOUGH. Essentially, they would publicly acknowledge that the sale of “papers” is a racket used for one purpose and one purpose only: to produce revenue.

Were this to happen, “reputable” breeders could corner the market on purebreds and essentially help put large scale commercial breeding kennels, along with pet shops, out of business. Too bad they don’t.

So intent is the AKC to make money from commercial breeding that they have, historically and to this day, opposed, refuted and/or contested practically every measure created that would bolster state and federal regulations intended to improve the health and welfare conditions for breeder dogs in large scale kennels… aka: puppy mills.

As we all know, it’s impossible to “unring” a bell. Such is the case with the Coton de Tulear. Currently classified as a rare breed, this small fluffy white dog stands to be exploited by the AKC if, at the behest of certain breeders, the behemoth registry “recognizes” the Coton.

The primary Coton de Tulear club in the United States, the ACC, is nauseated by the thought of AKC recognition. Why? Because they know that once this happens the floodgates will open and commercial breeding kennels across the country will be producing the Coton in staggering numbers. Pet shops will carry Cotons. Mini-Cotons will appear as will Coton-Poos, Shih-Cotons and just about any other conceivable variety of mixed mating. The Coton will appear on Craig’s List. The only thing worse than the AKC recognizing the Coton would be Disney films producing a flick featuring the breed!

As an advocate for dogs trapped in puppy mills and for canines sitting in shelters and rescues awaiting future homes, I struggled with this issue.

Doing nothing will neither protect the Coton de Tulear or prevent future breeding of these dogs.

That said, I’d rather help expose the AKC for its endeavors to exploit a small little white dog for the purpose of producing revenue and to possibly help shelters and rescues from being inundated with the breed once those who have purchased a readily available Coton decide “this isn’t the dog for me” and dumps them… a tragic scene played over and over again with too many of the “recognized” breeds.

The ACC has been in contact with the AKC. According to club president, Hailey Parker, the AKC has dodged their questions, ignored their concerns, removed their contact information from the AKC website and intends to move toward selecting an AKC Parent Club in mid April – the first step toward acquiring “recognition.”

Seems like strange behavior for a registry who purports to have the best interest of dogs at heart but would appear to be typical for a club known to produce revenue at the expense of the health and welfare of dogs trapped in mills.

To help voice your opinion that AKC should NOT recognize the Coton and possibly prevent the exploitation of yet ANOTHER breed, please sign the ACC petition: click HERE

At a minimum, you will send the AKC a strong message: advocates are sick and tired of cleaning up the mess that occurs when the club “recognizes” a breed. Let them know that you’re on to their scam of selling meaningless papers to uninformed consumers and that to exploit yet ANOTHER breed for the purpose of lining their pockets is simply despicable.

To read the full history of what has happened to the Coton de Tulear, visit the ACC homepage: Click HERE

Please Cross Post!

Thank you to Jenny Stephens for her great article supporting the Rare Breed Coton de Tulear!

Internationally, there are approximately 400 breeds that are listed with registry organizations in other countries. The AKC, however, does not register all of these breeds, either because there are too few dogs (of that breed) in this country or there is too little interest among owners of these breeds to obtain AKC registered status. Because the AKC is a “club of clubs,” owners of a particular breed, wishing to have that breed registered, must establish an organized National Breed Club. http://www.akc.org/press_center/facts_stats.cfm?page=8

Please let the AKC know that the owners of purebred Coton de Tuléar have no interest in AKC. Sign the petition to Save the Coton de Tuléar dog breed from the AKC and puppymills!

Take action- Sign the petition to help save the rare breed Coton de Tulear

A petition is being sponsored by the American Coton Club, the Coton de Tulear Club of America and all Coton lovers who are concerned about the welfare of the rare breed Coton de Tulear. Please sign the petition and ask your Coton families to sign the petition. Coton lovers can unite and send a powerful statement to the AKC in support of keeping the Coton a rare breed dog.

The Coton de Tuléar is a rare breed with amazing qualities and a healthy gene pool not yet spoiled by poor breeding practices and over breeding. Thousands of companion owners cherish this breed and want it to remain a rare breed and not in the hands of AKC.

Help save the Rare Breed Coton de Tuléar!!!

Please join the American Coton Club, the Coton de Tulear Club of America, Coton breeders, exhibitors, companion owners and the Coton community at large, who all wish to protect the Rare Breed Coton de Tuléar.

Help preserve the health, well-being, and genetic integrity of this wonderful breed. Please take action and sign this petition.

There are 4 National Coton de Tuléar breed clubs. Only three (3) of those clubs require mandatory health testing of breeding Cotons. Ethical Breeders and impassioned companion owners are dedicated to preserving the health, well-being, and genetic integrity of the Coton de Tuléar and want to see this breed remain healthy.

Last year one of the clubs (USACTC) announced its intention to pursue AKC recognition of the rare breed Coton de Tuléar. That club received less than 100 votes from members of their club to move forward with AKC recognition. Over 700 Coton owners signed a petition against AKC recognition. In fact, the majority of the Coton community responded extremely negatively to the prospect of full AKC recognition for the Coton de Tuléar breed. There has been worldwide support to save the Coton de Tuléar from AKC, puppy mills, and puppy brokers. Despite this support, AKC continues to pursue the Coton de Tuléar dog breed. Now a new club (formerly defunct) has stated their intention to take the Coton to AKC.

The AKC (American Kennel Club) is simply a for profit dog registry. AKC does not require health testing nor does the AKC verify the validity of registrations that are submitted to their registry service. As of October 14, 2010 there were 1590 Coton de Tuléar registered in the AKC Foundation Stock Service (FSS). 1383 of the 1590 have three (3) generation pedigrees.
AKC has a long history of allowing puppy mills, high volume breeders, commercial breeders, and pet shop breeders to register their “Cotons” through the AKC-FSS program, which began accepting Cotons in 1996. The Coton de Tulear has many more than three generations and has ancestry with traceable lineage back to its roots in Madagascar. AKC registration numbers seem to indicate that the majority of the AKC-FSS pedigrees issued to “Coton de Tulear” have only 3 generation pedigrees. Why is that important? On the date that AKC recognizes the Coton de Tuléar each of those 1383 3-generation pedigrees of likely questionable origin will be accepted into the Coton de Tuléar Stud Book. All of those “Cotons” will get the AKC seal of approval and will dilute and weaken an otherwise healthy gene pool. It matters not if they came from a puppy mill, pet shop, puppy mill auction or puppy broker. They will not be required to have DNA testing to verify parentage, nor must they conform to the breed standard or be health tested.

This is simply unacceptable to those of us who love this charming rare breed and wish it to remain healthy and protect the gene pool of the rare breed Coton de Tuléar from Madagascar.